The Hamas source told the Palestinian news agency of Ma'an that his movement conducted “serious talks” with Israel to conclude the swap deal. The source added that the German mediator Gerhard Konard has recently visited Gaza Strip “more than once” in bid to advance the deal that would see Shalit freed after more than four years in Palestinian captivity.
The Hamas source refused to elaborate on the issues discussed during the talks.
In another possible indication that the negotiations have been resumed, Hamas warned Gaza's residents not to reply to text messages from Israeli Army for fear this may help the Israeli security forces uncover Shalit's location.
“This path leads to the collapse of security and collaboration with the Zionist enemy,” Hamas' Interior Ministry said. “We urge citizens not to contact the Zionist intelligence service via this phone number in any way.”
Earlier this month, the head of Israeli internal intelligence agency Shin Bet chief, Yuval Diskin, said that the 2009 round of negotiations with Hamas for Shalit's release failed as the Hamas did not stop their demands, and accepting them would lead to “a slippery slope.”
Diskin added that “The Hamas members who were part of the delegation in Cairo did not want to stop (raising their demands) at any point.”